Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Picture this: You're going through something, that at the time seems monumental, because it's happening to you.

And then you encounter someone who is going through something that is a million times worse. How fast your perspective changes, and maybe you start to feel a tad bit guilty???

For the past 2 1/2 weeks, I've had a nasty double case of conjunctivitis, otherwise known as pink eye, along with a nice side order of sore throat, nausea & low-grade fever. We think I picked it up during our trip to the ER with Kyra (see here), as the woman sitting next to us in the waiting room had very red eyes.

Anyway, after 2 visits to my eye doctor for antibiotic drops, and one hurried trip at 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon to my primary doctor for a throat swab (to rule out strep throat), I'm now finally starting to feel a little better. My eyes still tend to water a lot, are now not quite so bloodshot and swollen, and they're only slightly crusted shut in the morning--sorry for the graphic mind-picture.

However, as I'm bemoaning the fact that my vision & in turn, my social life have been so rudely interrupted, I'm reminded that my dear sister goes into the hospital tomorrow afternoon for the first of her very long list of life-altering interruptions--the node involvement detection & dreaded mastectomy. Suddenly my pink eyes & scratchy throat seem very small.

So yes, I've been inconvenienced with this little health detour. But they are nothing to what she is facing tomorrow, and really, has been facing since she found that lump a little over a month & a half ago.

Please continue praying for my sister, my family & that something miraculous will come out of this very scary situation. Also on a side note, my father-in-law, Richard, is having a minor surgical procedure tomorrow as well--bicep ligament repair, so you can keep David's side of the family in your prayers too.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Kyra is fever-free! Yesterday evening she had gone 24 hours with no fever, so there was great rejoicing in the land :-)

Now, however, we're facing a new kind of heat---the outside temperature kind :-( Anyone who knows me, knows I'm definitely a shade-loving plant. I mean, there's a reason I don't live in Phoenix or Death Valley...

I also don't have AC at my house. Luckily, our bedrooms are all downstairs, but it still can get mighty hot in here during the day, especially if we have a string of hot days---I think the furnace thermostat says 82 already, and it's not even the hottest part of the day---UGH!

By the way, why is it that 82 inside, feels a lot hotter than the same temp outside? I could never figure that out.

Anyway, pray for us that we can keep cool, that the electricity that supplies our life-saving box fans doesn't fail, and above all, continue to keep my sister in your prayers.

Monday, August 11, 2008

It started Saturday afternoon after lunch. I was getting Kyra ready for her nap and I said to David, "Wow, she feels really warm to me". She hadn't been acting sick, but David had come home from work the day before, feeling just rotten and running a slight fever. So I took her temperature, and it was 100.2. Although this isn't a very high fever, it still meant we pulled out the Tylenol, and started pushing the liquids.

Saturday progressed and she still spiked a fever without the medicine. So I kept the Tylenol & the fluids coming, and gave her a bath that night, hoping it would cool her down a little--plus she really likes her baths. Unfortunately the deluge of fluids meant she was up every couple of hours after going to bed, saying, "I'm wet". At least we knew that system was working...

Sunday morning came, and she was still really warm. By this time, she wanted nothing to do with just plain water, so we got creative and made applesauce popsicles, which turned out to be super easy--just take an empty ice tray, fill each spot with applesauce, put a popsicle stick in each one (you can use toothpicks through plastic wrap if your child is old enough to handle toothpicks), and then freeze. Instant yumminess!

By Sunday night, without medicine, her fever jumped to 103.2. That was it, I was calling the on-call doc. Her recommendation was to take her to the ER, since she wasn't really acting sick, but the fever was fairly high, which sounded to her like a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

We got in the car, and drove her to Providence St. Vincent's ER, crossing our fingers that they weren't slammed. When we arrived, they looked fairly busy, but apparently they don't mess around when it comes to kids. Within 20 minutes of our arrival, we were back in a room, and talking to a nurse.

Their plan was to get a sample so they could check for the UTI, and they asked if we could get her to go potty. Unfortunately, we're in the middle of potty training, and we've yet to master "going by request", especially on a big potty without our potty seat. So, the only other alternative was to catheterize her--NOT FUN for anyone!

She did very well, although she burst into tears as soon as they started, as did her mommy. There's just something about when your kids are scared, or in pain, that tears you open like nothing else.

Afterwards, we waited for what seemed like forever, although it was a pretty short time in ER waiting time, until the doctor came with the results. He said there was no preliminary evidence of a UTI, and she probably had the nasty flu virus that's been going around. Keep pushing the fluids and the Tylenol, and she should be better in a couple days. We then took her home, and all fell into our beds, exhausted.

This morning she woke up after sleeping through the night, and she was as cool as a cucumber--Yeah! Now I know mornings tend to be the cool time, and afternoons/evenings are when fevers can rise, but I was happy that she was cooler. We spent the morning watching Finding Nemo, and drinking more fluids. Then I leaned over to her, and felt her back--uh oh, it's only 10 am, and she's warm! Temp--102.2. Ok, more Tylenol.

Now we've eaten lunch, had some Jello---thanks to Grandma's run to the store for Children's Motrin, popsicles, and jello, and she's down for her nap. Did you know that you can alternate Motrin & Tylenol, since they are handled by two different organs, the kidneys & the liver? We learned that last night. In fact, the nurse said to start with the Motrin, as it gives more bang for your buck (i.e. lasts longer), and then if the fever still spikes, while on the Motrin, you can give the Tylenol, without having to wait. Cool, huh?

So now we just need to let time do its thing, while laying low. And pray that I don't get it!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Every year it seems we are bombarded by more & more offers to support this organization, or donate to that cause. And I have to admit, sometimes I just get numb to them all, even those of which are for things I do care about.

But then it seems we are thrown a curve ball, seemingly out of nowhere, and suddenly your whole outlook changes.

This week my dear sister, Heather, was diagnosed with breast cancer. And although the statistics, at one time, were 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed, it doesn't really hit home until someone you love, is given that life-changing diagnosis.

So it is with this news, that my family is asking for your support. My daughter, Kyra and I will be walking the 1-mile course in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, on Sunday, September 21, 2008, in honor of my sister, and Kyra's aunt. If you'd like to help sponsor us, click on the link below to go to the donation page.

We also understand in these times of tight pocketbooks, and rising costs that it might be too much of a stretch for some of you to support us financially.

So for you, you have a much bigger task :-) PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Heather sees the surgeon this coming Monday to discuss the plan of action, and we are just praying for clarity, and calmness.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, and again, above all, we are coveting your prayers.